Health Bulletin

Workplace bullying and violence are risk factors for type 2 diabetes

Workplace bullying and violence may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, for both men and women, according to new research published in journal Diabetologia.

Whilst both bullying and violence represent negative interpersonal relationships, they appear to constitute different concepts and are distinct social stressors. Bullying is psychological aggression, including behaviours such as unfair criticisms, isolation and humiliating work tasks. It is most often perpetrated by people from inside, such as colleagues.

Violence, on the other hand, is more likely to involve physical acts such as pushing or kicking, or the threat of these, and is generally perpetrated by people from outside, such as clients, patients etc. Bullying and violence are distinct behaviours and consequently their induced emotions can be different.

The authors say: “There is a moderate and robust association between workplace bullying, violence and the development of type 2 diabetes. We suggest that prevention policies should be investigated as a possible means to reduce this risk.”

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